At least there is no Tiger factor to contend with in this tournament. And the time when the Monty factor was, well, a really significant one, seems to have disappeared in recent weeks along with his weight.

Still, a slimline Colin Montgomerie and Ernie Els are installed as 4 to 1 joint-favourites for this week's BMW International in Munich which, nevertheless, seems just a little tight for comfort.

Montgomerie hasn't quite managed to dominate the European Tour this season as he did for the past seven and, even without Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke in the field, the quality is such that the odds elsewhere seem to offer better value for money.

Certainly, Thomas Bjorn - on offer at 12 to 1 - seems a very reasonable proposition. The great Dane has shown some really good form in recent times, especially at the British Open and the US PGA, and, on the horses for courses theory, he shot a 64 on this same course in the BMW two years ago. He is also overdue a win and he could be the value bet of the week.

For an each-way saver, Jarmo Sandelin, another Scandinavian returning to form, seems attractively priced at 25 to 1.

4-1 - Ernie Els (SA), Colin Montgomerie (Scot).

12-1 - Thomas Bjorn (Den).

18-1 - Padraig Harrington (Ire), Per-Ulrik Johansson (Swe).

20-1 - Greg Norman (Aus).

25-1 - Bernhard Langer (Ger), Jarmo Sandelin (Swe).

33-1 - Pierre Fulke (Swe).

40-1 - Mark McNulty (Zim), Jarrod Mosseley (Aus).

Prices supplied by Ladbrokes Ireland.